Medicine
In conjunction with the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute is sponsoring a comprehensive study of cancer genomics. The Cancer Genome Atlas (CGA) is expected to provide answers regarding the specific genetic changes that allow cancer to form and grow inside the human body. As further discoveries are made by the research scientists at the CGA, it is likely that new treatments and new genetic therapies will be available for cancer patients. Genetic testing can also identify individuals at higher risk for various conditions and can allow health care professionals to provide proactive treatment for patients now and in the future.
Biotechnology
Lessons learned from the Human Genome Project may point the way to new sources of renewable energy. Companies are already exploring cost-effective ways to use bioconversion techniques to create methane and other hydrocarbons from biodegradable garbage. By applying the knowledge acquired from genetic research to the creation of methane by microorganisms, scientists have already achieved promising results in the field of methanogenesis. Engineered bioorganisms may also provide assistance in environmental cleanups; the Joint Genome Institute is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and is tasked with developing microbial solutions for environmental clean-ups around the world. This may result in a cleaner and healthier world for future generations.
Pharmaceuticals
Molecular medicine depends heavily upon the research performed and the discoveries made during the Human Genome Project. DNA analysis of existing medications and the isolation of specific genes responsible for various illnesses will allow greater customization of medications for individuals in the future. As the cost of sequencing individual genomes continues to fall, the information provided by these procedures will allow greater customization for medications and reduced side effects for most patients.
Advances made possible by DNA analysis and genome sequencing techniques will provide significant benefits for everyday living. The cutting-edge research being performed by government agencies and private companies will promote a healthier environment and improved prognoses for individuals in the U.S. and around the world.